Combination cigarette-lighter case



Wm). 5, 1%. E. s. IRELAN COMBINATION CIGARETTE LIGHTER CASE Filed Jan. 24, 1935 wmdm Patented Nov. 5, 1935 UNITED STTES PATENT OFFICE COMBINATHON CIGARETTE-LIGHTER CASE Ellison S. Irelan, Elgin, Ill., assignor to Illinois Watch Case Company, Elgin, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application January 24, 1935, Serial No. 3,212

3 Claims.

is concerned more particularly with certain features of construction by which a compartment for cigarettes is so formed as to accommodate the igniting device which may be operated with the case opened or closed; with means by which a withdrawal of one unit of the igniting device is normally prevented; and generally in so combining the cigarette compartment and contained igniting device that only a minimum of extra expense is involved, only a minimum of space is required for their combined accommodation, and only a minimum of change or alteration in the appearance of the case is involved.

These objects and purposes, as well as others to be hereinafter set forth, are realized by a construction of which an exemplification is shown in the accompanying drawing wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective View of the combination cigarette-lighter case;

Fig. 2 is a view in plan of the case opened up to expose the interior of both the case and its cover;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail in section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the two parts which form the receptacle wherein is contained the fuel for the igniting device;

Fig. 5 is a view of the withdrawable striker unit of the igniting device.

,The case herein shown is of a size and contour that may be conveniently received within a pocket or pocket book. It may comprise a main case body A having upturned marginal walls 5 to one of which is hinged as at 6 a lid B provided with complementary downturned marginal walls l. The case body and lid may be counterparts of each other. As by means of a spring catch 8 mounted in the case for engaging with a lip 9 on the lid, the latter may normally be held in closed position. Within the case a clip it may be pivoted coaxially with the hinge 6 to receive pressure from a spring ll whereby cigarettes are held in place within the case. Such a construction is common at the present time.

Mounted within the case at one end thereot is a receptacle R in the form of a tank having a contour which conforms to the case and lid walls (see Figs. 2 and 3). This receptacle may conveniently be formed of two shells l4 and I5 (see Fig. 4) one a counterpart of the other, and each provided with marginal walls I6 which meet the (Cl. 206-4L4) other. As by brazing or soldering the two shells are joined along the edges of these walls so as to produce a tank which is closed on all sides. At one end of the receptacle the marginal walls extend inwardly and slightly toward each other '8' as at I! and 18 forming a throat across which are cross walls 119 each having a semi-circular opening 20. With the two shells in assembled relation, the two half openings 20 provide a circular bearing wherein may be mounted a short 10 tube 2 l. Built out from one of the marginal walls of each shell are extension walls 25 inturned at each end 25, the two sets of built .out walls defining anelongated recess which is open upon one side.

A receptacle so formed, when fitted into one end of the'case, may be secured thereto in any approved way, such as by one or more rivets 3E]. The extension walls 25 may be extended through a notched or cutaway portion 3i in the marginal walls of the case and lid for a distance which is flush with or only slightly beyond the outside of such marginal walls. The open side of the recess is thus exposed upon the exterior of the case. In this recess may be secured a block 35 of pyrophoric material or other element for producing sparks.

Associated with the receptacle just described is a striker which comprises a cylidrical stem 4|] of a size which may be received within the tube 2!. To frictionally hold the striker in place I provide in the stem a transverse opening wherein is carried a spring 4| exerting pressure against a ball 42 which protrudes slightly beyond the surface of the stem to engage with the walls of the tube when the striker is positioned therewithin. At one end of the stem is a head 43 of truncated form in one plane to fit within the notch 44 formed by the converging walls l1 and. I8. In a transverse plane the contour of the head is arched and preferably serrated, thus following the general contour of the case and lid in the region of the notch. The free edges of the case and lid adjacent this notch are recessed in register therewith. Accordingly the head of the striker may fit snugly within this notch in a manner which will substantially preserve the contour of the case.

Carried by the stem and projecting from the end thereof which is opposite the head is a striker pin 59 surrounded preferably by a packing of absorbent material 5|, such as asbestos, held in place within a surrounding sleeve 52 having a mounting on the stem. One end of the packing 55 rounding the striker pin. When the latter is pulled out and struck upon the pyrophoric block, the resulting sparks will produce ignition of the fuel carried by the packing material of the striker. In this way a light may easily be obtained.

The entire structure, as herein shown, is convenient for manufacture, assembly and use. The striker pin may be removed or replaced without opening the case. It is also as available for use if the case be opened. The same is true of the pyrophoric block which is exposed always regardless of whether the case be opened or closed. For reasons such as this, the use of the present combination cigarette-lighter case is very convenient and is attended with manifest advantage.

I claim:

1. A combined cigarette case and cigarette lighter comprising a case body having marginal walls, a lid cooperating with the marginal walls of the case body in closed position to provide a compartment for cigarettes, a receptacle disposed at one end of the case body, the receptacle and case body being correspondingly notched inwardly from a margin of the body to provide an elongated recess, a striker adapted to be received within the receptacle through the recess in the case body and receptacle and formed with a head shaped to fit within and close said recess, and a pyrophoric element at one end of the case body adapted to be engaged by the striker when the latter is removed from the receptacle through said recess.

2. A combined cigarette case and cigarette lighter, comprising a case body and a lid each having complementary marginal walls defining therebetween a compartment for cigarettes, a receptacle shaped to fit within one end of the case body adjacent a marginal wall thereof and hav-' ing a tubular fitting in one end which is inwardly spaced from said marginal wall, one side of said receptacle being extended above the marginal walls of the case body to occupy the space within I the lid, the cooperating marginal walls of the case and lid being correspondingly notched adjacent the tubular fitting to provide an elongated recess extending inwardly from said marginal walls to said tubular fitting, a striker receivable within the receptacle through said recess and tubular fitting and formed with a head shaped to fit within and close said recess, and a pyrophoric element at one end of the case body adapted to be engaged by the striker when the latter is removed from the receptacle through said recess.

3. A combined cigarette case and cigarette lighter comprising a case body having marginal walls, a lid hinged to the case body and cooperating with the marginal walls thereof in closed position to provide a. compartment for cigarettes, a receptacle disposed at one end of the case body, a tubular fitting supported within one end of said receptacle, the receptacle, case body and lid being correspondingly notched adjacent the tubular fitting to provide an elongated'recess extending inwardly from the marginal wall of the case body, a striker receivable within the receptacle through the recess and supported by the tubular fitting, a head on the striker shaped to fit within and fill the recess, and a pyrophoric element at one end of the case body adapted to be engaged by the striker when the latter is removed from the receptacle through said recess.

ELLISON S. IRELAN. 

